That candidate is Republican Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, who has earned this newspaper's endorsement for governor of Wisconsin.

Walker has argued throughout his campaign that a vote for opponent Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is a vote for a third term for current Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle. We wouldn't go that far, but nonetheless feel that after eight years of a Democrat at the helm — and with a looming biennial budget deficit that could approach $3 billion — now is the time for substantive change.

We like the urgency with which Walker has approached the economic and jobs crisis in our state, exemplified by his promise to call a special legislative session on jobs on his first day in office. His plan to create 250,000 additional jobs by 2015 outlines proposals to lower taxes, cut through bureaucratic red tape, curtail frivolous lawsuits and improve education, among other efforts.

Walker's "brown bag"-style fiscal conservatism has become perhaps the hallmark of his bid for the state's top job, but we feel his campaign goes beyond the gimmick to truly embrace the principles he champions. The 250,000 figure he uses as a target for job creation may be a bit overly ambitious, but we like that Walker is aiming high — and we think he has outlined some solid steps toward at least approaching that goal. His ideas around fiscal conservatism dovetail directly with what has traditionally been a conservative editorial position for this newspaper.

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Barrett does offer some plans to reduce spending, including his pledge to "put Madison on a diet" to the tune of $1.1 billion in measures that include eliminating the secretary of state and treasurer's offices, reducing waste in areas like BadgerCare and prisoner health care, and improving technological efficiency for state government. Barrett said during a recent meeting with the Green Bay Press-Gazette editorial board that he would not raise taxes during the first budget cycle, and that other savings would have to come from tough choices in "major cost centers of government" that include K-12 and higher education, as well as shared revenue with local governments.

We give Barrett credit for admitting there are difficult budgetary choices on the horizon, and for being honest in saying he can't promise any area would remain unscathed with Wisconsin's current financial mess. But on balance, we feel Walker is better suited to rein in spending and stick to his plan for cost-saving beyond election season.

That said, we urge Walker to offer additional specifics on his plans for the economy and jobs, which doubtlessly have emerged as the top issue in this campaign. After eight years of a Democratic governor, the last two of which were accompanied by Democratic control of both houses of the Legislature, the time has come for a change.